Sport England goal of building a stronger workforce for the sport and physical activity sector is continuing with a new online Open University (OU) course.

Funded by a £38,500 award from Sport England, The Open University is developing the free course to help those who train, mentor or develop the skills of sports coaches, officials, instructors and activity leaders.

The National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS) created the prestigious NAKMAS Star Award; an award of recognition for outstanding talent and abilities within its membership, both adults and children.

Kerry-Anne Frith, an 18-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome from Broadstairs in Kent, has received the second of the awards for her outstanding coaching talents in karate.

Kerry-Anne has been training with Joe and Sandra Ellis of the Kent Karate Schools in the Ramsgate branch from the age of 10, and she is now working towards her black belt which she hopes to achieve in 2019. She is currently at college training to be a car mechanic and qualified as a youth karate coach in February of this year. Her martial arts training has given her confidence and focus, often lacking in autistic individuals.

NAKMAS is becoming increasingly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of children who attend a martial arts school accredited and recognised by the NAKMAS National Governing Body.

The concern relates to children being dropped off outside of a venue by parents or guardians assuming that the martial arts class is running. This may not be the case, due to class cancellation or perhaps whether the instructor is running late for the class or has had an incident en-route to the class.

NAKMAS would like to congratulate the following NAKMAS senior members who achived their promotion via the NAKMAS National Management Committee on Monday 19 November 2018, following formal audit and assessment:

*Dave Bardwell, a respected senior Judoka, was a former member of the NAKMAS National Management Committee.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS (GDPR)

The new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) legislation comes into force from 25 May 2018. More information about the GDPR is available on the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website: https://ico.org.uk/

NAKMAS is committed to process any personal information it holds only in ways that are fair, transparent and meet its legal obligations; in other words, in accordance with the Data Protection Act and its successor the General Data Protection Regulations.

NAKMAS will take care over email addresses which in addition to the GDPR are subject to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Please read the NAKMAS Privacy Policy, which sets out how data is used by NAKMAS to supply membership services.

We have also updated some of our forms to fulfil our legal obligations for ongoing consent: affiliation application, student and instructor licence forms, so far. Please use the forms from the downloads section of our website rather than old copies. The DBS packs also now include an additional form for consent.

Guidelines for instructors are included in this pack, along with a sample form which can be used in your clubs, and a form of consent which needs to be completed and returned to us before the deadline of 25 May 2018.

Data Protection Principles

The legislation sets out various data protection principles. These include that personal information is:

*Used fairly and lawfully *Used for limited, specifically stated purposes *Used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive *Accurate *Kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary *Kept safe and secure *Not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection

The website and social media feeds will be updated as we get information and with any changes of documentation.

GDPR Compliant NAKMAS Forms

The NAKMAS Afffiliation Application Form (NAK008), Instructor Licence/Insurance Form (NAK012) and the Student Licence/Insurance Application Form (NAK011) have been updated to ensure GDPR compliance. These forms are now online ready for use.

"Through your campaigning, you have encouraged thousands of children with autism to get involved in sports and recreation activities outside of the classroom. You have used your own experiences to promote greater inclusion for the next generation, and you should be proud of what you have achieved."Read more via https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/autism-campaigner/

23 Mar '16: Statement issued by the NAKMAS National Management Committee in relation to English Karate Read more

In the public spotlight

News and features about NAKMAS and NAKMAS affiliates

Sooyang-Do

Sooyang-Do Martial Arts Mother's Day grading

Sooyang-Do Martial Arts Mother's Day grading success

Proud day for North East Mums this Mothers Day

Over 250 children from throughout the North East of Scotland made their mums proud this Mothers Day as they "smashed" their Sooyang Do Belt Examinations at the Westdyke Leisure Centre on Sunday 26th March in Westhill Aberdeen.

Mums looked on with pride as their young martial artists from local NAKMAS registered Sooyang Do Aberdeen City and Shire clubs were put through numerous martial art sequences, attacks, pad drills and wood breaks.

Natalie Greenland, who's daughter was being tested commented on how fantastic the Mothers Day grading went."It's been well organised and what a great atmosphere. The kids had good energy, and put in lots of effort". Mrs Greenland joked that she was " looking forward to similar energy from her daughter Hannah when she made her, her belated Mothers Day breakfast".

Junior members of the Kent Karate Schools attended a coaching course held in Herne Bay, Kent on Sunday 19 February 2017. The course tutor/assessor was Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis, a leading educationalist and author. She is also an NVQ Assessor and Verifier (also holds NVQ External Verifier awards).

Children learn coaching concepts, which enable them to work alongside adult black belt coaches.

While there is a member of staff or Management available as far as possible, during office hours, there are times when we use an intimate call centre. This is mostly first thing, last thing, at lunchtimes or in times of sickness or leave. If you leave them your name, club code, contact number and a brief message, we will endeavour to return your call as soon as we are available. Alternatively you can drop us an email to which we can respond instead.